Mainz, Germany for Olaf's Birthday

We spent Olaf's 32nd birthday with his family in Germany. We were already in Frankfurt for Olaf's work, and thought it would be fun to get together with the Gurks over the weekend. Olaf's brother Gerrit and his wife Birgit live in Mainz, which is about 45 minutes from Frankfurt. Friday evening, Olaf's birthday, we drove to Mainz to meet up with Olaf's family for a little celebration. 

The senior Gurks live north of Frankfurt, in Osnabrück. Usually we meet up there, but it had been far too long since we've visited Birgit and Gerrit in Mainz.

Map showing all the Gurks in England and Germany

Birgit suggested a really cool restaurant, Heiliggeist for the birthday dinner. It was in an old church which was beautifully lit with candles, both indoors and out. We sat outside in the warm early autumn air, sharing a charming table in an ivy-covered alcove.

Afterwards we headed back to Birgit and Gerrit's for some birthday cake and presents.

That cake traveled in style, economy class from London :)

Saturday we visited a flea market by the river and then took a four-hour, afternoon river boat cruise.

Birgit and I walking to the boat.

Birgit and I checking out the wares.

The boat

All the Gurks!

We left the boat at Rüdesheim, a quaint wine making town on the Rhein river. Birgit packed us a wonderful, homemade lunch that the enjoyed at a lookout point above the village.

View from the boat

View of Rüdesheim from the tram

Not nervous at all ;)

Olaf's brother Gerrit and his wife Birgit

Olaf's parents, Wolfgang and Claudia

Lookout above Rüdesheim

Enjoying some lunch- Birgit took care of us :)

Freight boat on the river

Back in Mainz, we headed out on foot to the schnitzel boat. That was my first time, though I think everyone else has been there multiple times. Our food never came, though, so we ended up eating at Birgit and Gerrit's favorite Italian restaurant.

The schnitzel boat

Walking down to the schnitzel boat

On Sunday we headed back down the river to a bridge where couples put locks engraved with their names. Birgit had locks made for all three couples, so we put them on the bridge together and then together threw the keys in the river.

Our love locks